It didn’t take long before we realized that with NBA 2K23, the subject of our review, we were facing something mammoth. The game, which arrived on September 9 on PC and consoles, was developed by Visual Conceptteam that promised us “The most realistic basketball game in history”. The expectations were therefore high, but the promises were kept.
Thanks to a practically perfect gameplay, incredibly realistic animations and two new game modes that will make nostalgics go crazy, NBA 2K23 gives us what could easily be the most successful of the games in the saga. A perfectly successful three-point shot, which enters the basket without even touching the iron. So without delay, as the 24-second timer runs, let’s dive into this NBA 2K23 review – which we tested on Xbox Series S – to explore its strengths (and weaknesses).
Ball don’t Lie: NBA 2K23 is more than just a basketball game
The biggest risk of annual sports video games is that of repetition. Several times Fifa franchises (but also MLB) have often offered us expensive roster updates, without substantial differences from previous games. This is certainly not the case with NBA 2K23, which in addition to offering us a decidedly improved gaming experience, presents us a title in which the boundary between real basketball and videogames becomes increasingly blurred.
The game mechanics are in fact incredibly realistic, like the graphics engine (incredible on new-gen consoles) and a whole range of extremely immersive visual components. The movements of the CPU are almost always consistent with the dynamics and tactics of real sport, and unlike the previous chapters, the opponents will not move “at random” on the parquet. Both the attack and defense phases benefit from satisfactory controls, both in the faithful reproduction of the schemes and in the energy that is released in going to the basket and dunking.
The various game modes are never boring, ranging from simple friendly (even online, with good matchmaking) to proven MyCAREER e MyTEAM. But the real news is the introduction of WNBA women’s teamsthe ERE and the SFIDA JORDAN, a modality that we will describe shortly dedicated to the God of basketball. After all 2K23 he carries an important number with him, and paying homage to MJ was practically a must.
Ma NBA 2K23 isn’t just a sports video game, rather. It’s a huge container that represents the ultimate basketball fan experience. The title indeed includes its own internal TV, streaming 24/7, with insights, interviews and even small trivia quizzes. In the option menu sit will be possible to customize practically everything: from your player (through the facial scan via app) to the Draft Class, passing through the shoes (thanks to the new mode Shoes Creation).
NBA 2K23 review: Michael Jordan’s incredible career
Taking up and expanding to the nth degree the concept of Jordan Challenge of NBA 2K11, the new game offers us a series of challenges that retrace the most important stages in the career of Michael Jordan. It is a real trademark of 2K and Visual Concept, which has already made the fortune of WWE 2K22 (with the mode dedicated to Rey Mysterio). The Jordan Challenge presents footage and interviews with MJ’s biggest sporting rivals, which introduce us to each of the various challenges. We will therefore have to do, in-game, what Jordan did in real life, crossing the boundaries between human and basketball divinity.
Each challenge involves three objectives to be achieved (in exchange for as many stars as a prize). We will therefore have to collect total rebounds and score a minimum number of points with the number 23 of the Bulls, as well as some Quick Time Events (QTE). The challenges will start from MJ’s college career, passing through his NBA arrival in 1984 to that incredible final against Stockton and Malone’s Utah Jazz in 1998. In each match the commentary team will remind us of what was happening in the league of that specific year, making it even more immersive. Also television filterswhich can be deactivated if they are not appreciated, will bring us back as if by magic in the 80s and 90s, giving the gameplay an irresistible taste.
Le ERE: Bird vs Magic, Jordan, Kobe and the modern NBA
Another of the novelties of NBA 2K23, as mentioned at the beginning of this review, is the introduction of the ERE. Players will be able to start a career in four different scenarios, which echo the rosters and rules of four decades. Give it 1980s by Magic Johnson and Larry Bird until’contemporary era of LeBron James. In the middle there are obviously the 1990s by Jordan and Pippen e the early 2000s dominated by Kobe Bryant and Shaq.
Each era will present us with a unique introduction, showing us how the league, teams, regulations and major technological innovations have changed. Even the commentary and the graphic rendering, thanks to the television filters we talked about above, will allow us to immerse ourselves entirely in the most incredible seasons that the NBA has ever presented to fans.
Between basketball simulation and open world role-playing game: the MyCAREER mode
If The City of NBA 2K22 had presented us with an open-world approach, with a real world to explore and missions to accomplish, in NBA 2K23 everything is bigger. The new City is truly immenseperhaps too much, to the point that exploring it (aboard a skateboard and gokart) will tend to distract the player from the purely basketball aspect.
But this is not necessarily bad. The various career modes of other sports games have in fact all become stereotyped: a young star who, with a thousand difficulties, must reach the top. In this case, however, NBA 2K23, manages to offer a different gaming experience, mixing role play and storytelling, obviously without underestimating the sporting aspect. In this sense iThe NBA franchise is literally rewriting the rules of sports video gamesto the point that it would also be the case that other titles follow suit.
In addition, our player (called MP) can be customized in every aspect and, thanks to the facial scanner via the app, it will be possible to upload your own face. The AI in this sense seemed to us to be quite scarceand we expect improvements in the next few chapters.
The review of NBA 2K23: MyTEAM is the real discord of the game
If so far this review has seemed decidedly enthusiastic, we must take note that NBA 2K23 it is not free from critical issues. These occur more in the modality MyTEAM, the competitive one, which allows players to assemble their own team of stars and compete online. In fact, it is here that the usual age-old problem arises: the pay-to-win.
The microtransactions and too slow a progression system they make it virtually impossible to be competitive without necessarily spending real money to buy cards and upgrades. This dynamic becomes so frustrating that unless you are a huge fan of this specific game mode, you will tend to avoid it. A real shame for a game that could have been considered almost perfect, were it not for this discordant note.
Summing up our review: what is NBA 2K23 like?
The future looks bright for the 2K franchise, which manages to renew itself and offer an absolutely fresh title that is worth buying. True basketball fans will appreciate it the realism of the actions on the court, while those who are beginners will find it incredibly satisfying to throw and crush in the face of the opponents.
The introduction of the new modes, with the focus on simulating specific sporting eras, will delight nostalgics and NBA basketball lovers. Those who prefer to identify with the life of a young promise, between rivalry and social media, will be able to make their choices (with the relative consequences) in the City of MyCAREER. Finally there is all the contour, from the 2K23 TV to the creation tools, which they will give to the game the flavor of a real basketball hub. There remains the regret for the microtransactions of MyTEAM. A disappointment, like a free throw that touches the iron and goes out, ruining a perfect match.
PRO
- Realistic simulation
- Jordan Challenge and the EREs: successful nostalgia operation
- Customization options
- Satisfactory commentary and graphics
- Fun gameplay
- MyCAREER and Vast City modes
- Team femminili WNBA
VERSUS
- The microtransactions of MyTEAM